Gov. Larry Hogan, citing fraud and bribery scandals allegedly involving state and local officials, has proposed broad reforms that target conflicts of interest and corruption.

The Republican governor announced his Integrity in Government Initiative Thursday afternoon in front of the State House.

Advertisement

Hogan's proposals include barring legislators from pushing legislation that directly benefits their employer or business, and prohibiting executive branch and legislative staff from lobbying for one year after they leave state service.

The governor also wants all meetings of the General Assembly be livestreamed, and his proposed 2018 budget includes funds to do that.

Senate President Mike Miller released a statement, saying:

"Ethics reform is going to be a major topic of the 2017 legislative session, and we look forward to seeing the governor's proposals."

House Speaker Michael Busch released a statement, saying:

"We look forward to working with the governor to make sure Maryland has the highest standards of transparency and ethics.”

The governor's office released a statement, outlining the proposed initiatives:

Public Integrity Act of 2017 – This centerpiece of the governor’s initiative places common sense restrictions on both the executive and legislative branches to eliminate conflicts of interest that erode trust in public officials. The proposal prohibits legislators from pushing or effecting legislation that directly benefits their employer or a business they own, prohibits executive branch staff and legislative staff from lobbying for one year after they leave state service, and prohibits any individual employed by a lobbying firm from being appointed to a state board or commission. This legislation also reforms current ethics oversight in the state to give the State Ethics Commission oversight over all elected officials and registered lobbyists and consultants.

Legislative Transparency Act of 2017 – This proposed legislation makes key reforms to open up state government and leverage technology to make the legislative process more accessible to citizens. The proposal requires that all meetings of the General Assembly be livestreamed, which is done in all but seven states in the nation. The governor’s FY 2018 budget includes $1.2 billion to fund the livestreaming.

Liquor Board Reform Act of 2017 – In the wake of recent corruption allegations and indictments involving liquor board members and elected officials, Governor Hogan’s proposed reforms will put professional regulators on liquor boards and end the current political patronage system. The legislation removes county political party central committees from the nominating process and requires the county’s senators to submit a formal nomination, subject to oversight from the State Ethics Commission.

Redistricting Reform Act of 2017 – Governor Hogan will again push to institute a nonpartisan redistricting process to ensure free and fair elections in Maryland, home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the nation. The legislation echoes the administration’s 2016 proposal, which was not advanced by the General Assembly despite support from an overwhelming majority of Marylanders.